Ivkniik

Australian Pratincole

A long-winged shorebird resembling a swallow, this species feeds both in the air and on the ground. In the air, it flies with stiff, strong wingbeats, patrolling for insects in flight. On the ground it runs across open spaces to feed, tilting to snatch insects from the J surface, or darting up at flying ones. It chooses bare, open habitats, including beaches or lake shores, but sometimes occurs as far as I'A miles (2 km) from water. • NEST A hollow scraped with the feet and shaped by body pressure, sometimes ringed with tiny stones. DISTRIBUTION Breeds in Australia. Winters in N. Australia, New Guinea, Sulawesi, S.E. Borneo, and islands from Timor to Java.